Morning museInterlude for any time of the day

Being an independent writer, or Indie Writer as the world commonly knows us, we depend on the people who read our books to help us move up in the ranks in places like, KOBO, Amazon, iBooks, and Kindle. Without the reviews, the book sits unnoticed at the bottom of the huge number of other publications in any given genre. I liken our plight to music and movie, the more reviews, the more people will notice and buy, the more it climbs the charts.

Like so many others out there, I too love to download and read free books. What better way to determine if you truly want to read more by the same author. What better way to see how others write in your chosen genre (if you are a writer). What better way to improve your vocabulary. Besides the fact that reading is just good for the mind and soul.

I diligently try to accomplish the reviews for books I have read in a timely manner; however, sometimes it takes me a little longer than even I like. Yet, the knowledge that these writers appreciate my time in doing so, gives me hope that others will do the same for me. ​

So when you read a book, any book, be it the old fashioned hold in your hand style or an E-book, please take the time to squirrel the title out on any of these prominent bookseller locations and leave your thoughts, your star rating. If you are surfing the net, this only takes but a few minutes out of your precious time and is so, so appreciated by us, the Indie Writers.

When we travel, whether it be an extended journey or a leisurely day trip, we are always on the hunt for a place we can stop for a break, have a cuppa, a snack or a meal and visit with owners, patrons, and friends.

We have found three such places that need to be shared. All have been happenstance and all have become one of our favourites in no particular order. Each has a different menu and ambiance. All are welcoming and definitely need to be visited for your own taste test (in our opinion).

HAYWIRED COFFEE HOUSE

Photo borrowed from the Haywired Coffee House FB page.

A little gem along the Northbound highway going through Nanton. The menu is limited but an excellent selection of homemade goodness. The baked goods and coffee are great by themselves or take with you if you want to get on your way. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for #9, their in-house troll who always has a surprise.

​

Priddis View & Brew Bistro

Road trip alert! The cozy atmosphere known as the ‘View & Brew’ is southwest of Calgary in the hamlet of Priddis. We had made a reservation because we were meeting friends there, and glad we did. It was busy. We ordered four different dishes and the four different dishes were excellent. Their website says they are closed for January and most of February, so be sure to check before heading out if that is your planned final destination.

Photo borrowed from the Priddis View & Brew website

Balzac Diner

Photo borrowed from the Balzac Diner FB page.

Good food? Actually not good food, great food! Just to the west of Hwy 2, and just over the tracks in downtown Balzac, you will find the Balzac Diner. Our stops, in past, have treated us to breakfast and lunches, and of course pie. You should not stop without having pie or at least take pie home with you. The 50’s ambiance is a step back into the comfort zone memory bank. Home baked goods are also available. It is a great place to sit in the corner and brainstorm write the next chapters. There is no rush for you to leave (unless it’s closing time).

Do you have favourite places you like to stop and eat at when you are out and about?

We would love to hear about them so we can put them on our radar for a future road trip.

Ann Edall-RobsonAuthor, Photographer, Lover of Life"Capturing moments others may never get to experience.”

The call came out for ‘Nasty Women Project'. When I first read the post, I only read those words and thought, that’s not me, I'm not nasty. I consider myself a kind, compassionate, fun-loving person with a little bit of red neck thrown in to keep life interesting. My beliefs go back a long way, formed by my family roots and upbringing. Most of which I like to live by and have incorporated in raising my family. Old fashioned morals I do not confuse with being a strong person, but I'd have to say they walk hand in hand in my world.

For some reason, this project intrigued me, and I needed to delve further into its existence. So, what is a Nasty Woman? What I found turned out to be the preamble for an art project local artist, Veronica Funk was inspired to do because of podcast her daughter had shared with her.

My take on the open explanation of Nasty Women is that it should not be confused with the literal meaning of the words. Yet, depending on how our voice resonates with various topics, the literal sense of the words might be a persona we can all fall into at one time or another.

I have been enlightened to see Nasty Women are those who stand up for what they believe in, what they are passionate about. She is a strong person who knows what she wants. She will stumble, fall and pick herself up. She will speak her mind and she is always searching for and sharing that which she is passionate about. She is me, and I am honoured to be included in Veronica Funk’s 100 Day Project - Nasty Women. ​

Photo by Veronica Funk

Starting on Sunday, January 21, these 100 canvases that Veronica has prepared, will start to come alive with her interpretation of the women who have been chosen as part of her project.

Follow along on my Blog and other social media outlets for updates on the progress of the project.

Ann Edall-RobsonAuthor, Photographer, Lover of Life"Capturing moments others may never get to experience."

A while back I went out without my camera. No reason really other than I didn’t take it with me. Oh yes, there were moments I reached for it, and there were moments I cussed at myself for not dragging it along. Yet, at the end of my break away from my computer and my camera, I came home with vivid images stored in the gray matter. Let me see if I can show you what I saw. . .

The pathway to the lake was drifted in places. Pushing through the already made tracks of those who had wandered before me wasn’t all that easy. For those with long legs and strides to match, the trek to the other side of these crusted barriers would be easy. For someone built close to the ground, like me, calf-deep becomes knee deep, and visible foot holes in the drifts are quite useless! Breaking my own trail, while not that easy either, was easier on the legs than trying to fit into what was left behind by others.

I quickly discovered walking off the trail in the uncharted snow was the way to go. Not only that, it showed me some wispy skeletal plant life. Thorn spikes on brown, rounded seed heads of burdock. Exploded seed pods hovering at the top of frozen cattail sentinels. Here and there the bright red, freeze dried rose hips were bobbing on the ends of prickly wild rose bushes. The lake showed life had traversed its perimeter. Coyote tracks mixed with tiny indents where mice and birds had taken advantage of seed that covered the ground from the wind-whipped plants along the frozen water’s edge.

My peripheral vision caught a glimpse of movement. A lone skater clearing the natural ice rink in a sheltered corner. A hockey stick waiting patiently in the drifted snow bank. Man’s best friend barking and running in circles around the human Zamboni. Laughter erupting, carried on the wind until it faded to nothing.

The drifts on the trail gave way to the wind-swept, frozen, earthen floor. The warm weather of recent weeks had softened the dirt to allow rutted tracks to form and freeze to almost perfect shapes. Some filled with little pools of frozen water. Others empty and void of any sign of life other than the steps left behind and the imagination of who would have left them. Poplar leaves laying in wait to rot and return food to the earth. Frozen and still green where they had fallen beside their yellowed and browned speckled tree mates.

I can hear the Canada Geese and I wonder if there is still some open water somewhere on the lake that is enticing them to sing their song from above. They don’t linger long, before moving onward in search of an unfrozen destination as there is nothing here for them.

A brazen Magpie watches me. Cackling it moves closer to the path to see what I am about until a crow, floating on the wind, swings near the trail sending the cheeky magpie off to stalk someone else.

The trail curves towards home. Here the trees are frosted and glistening in the sun. It reminded me of one of my outings from another winter's walk. Bits of fluffy snow floats from their settled spot on the needles. Cones sway in the top branches daring me to stand and gawk at them. They too will be become feed for some bird looking for a bit of sustenance in the continued cold.

Camera . . . hmm, I guess I didn’t really miss having it along.

Ann Edall-RobsonAuthor, Photographer, Lover of Life"Capturing moments others may never get to experience."

It’s funny where ideas come from. As hard as we try, there are times when you can see the window is open, but the curtains have not been pulled. Try as we might, getting past those barricades to continue along a path of enjoyment is not always easy. And then, there is a moment, a vision, a conversation that ramps us up for the next leg of the journey.

Before I left on a recent trip to Hawaii, my plan was to enjoy my daughter’s wedding to the fullest and find places that would inspire my writing. Places that would encourage the imagination to the surface and let the pencil speed across the blank pages.

With multiple time changes throwing the body and mind into a state of, “Are we ever going to get there?” It wasn’t until the last half hour on the plane, when the land came into view, that the curtains finally flittered away.

The days ahead gifted me with many opportunities to look through the parted curtains and gather much to keep the gray matter charged and motivated.

The young man turned away from his dad so he couldn’t see the hurt on his face and the tears in his eyes.

“Is this why you were so adamant to send me away to school? So you could give our heritage away and not feel guilty because I’d have a career.”

“Son, you always said you couldn’t wait to be gone from here.” He rested his weathered hand on the shaking shoulder. “Now there’ll be nothing to hold you and you won’t have to worry about taking over the ranch.”

The gut wrenching reply that came next was rocked the older man to the core.

“I need you to understand why I came home, dad. Why I turned down a high paying, heartless job. I came home because I wanted to be here with you. I wanted to be where I could raise my family, let the kids grow up the way I did, with respect, learning how to work and be proud of themselves and their accomplishments.”

The young man’s eyes were locked on his dad’s face. Their eyes never wavered.

“ The papers haven’t been signed and no money has traded hands. We can continue the traditions together. This is our home and has been for generations. Working together will keep it in our family, our heritage.”

“You don’t think it’s too late?”

“No dad, it’s not too late."

The younger generations that have wandered from their roots are starting to realize the benefits of the life they grew up with. More and more family farms and ranches are starting to disappear, but with sons and daughters returning to help, there is hope that traditions and western heritage that is the soul of the country will not only survive but will thrive.

Ann Edall-RobsonAuthor, Photographer, Lover of Life"Capturing moments others may never get to experience."

The fine print

Some links on our website may be affiliate links. This means if you follow the link, and take the steps to purchase or download the product, I will receive a small referral fee or commission. ​I only recommend items I have tried &/or own. Thank you for considering your purchases and downloads through my website.